WNBA star Brittney Griner asked United States President Joe Biden on Monday to intercede for her freedom after being imprisoned for 137 days.
Through a letter broadcast by ESPN and later broadcast in the media, Griner took the opportunity to talk about what it has meant to be without being able to be free and wrote about his fears when he feels that he can “ be detained forever” in Russia.
“While I am here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without protection (…) I am terrified that I can be here forever”, commented the center in the text.
Later she asked Biden himself to intercede in the situation and to “please not forget” those who are detained in Russia, including her.
“I am aware that you are dealing with many things but, please, do not forget about me and the other detainees (…). Please do everything you can to get us home,” she commented.
He also reviewed the 4th of July holiday in the US for Independence Day and recalled that his father was a veteran in Vietnam and that his freedom means something different on this occasion.
“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those men who fought for our freedom, including my father, who is a veteran of the Vietnam War. It pains me to think how I normally celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year,” he added.
Griner, who said he voted for Biden in the 2020 elections, said he continues to believe in the president and in what he can do for his situation and also lamented the pain of his family and friends, as well as stressed how much he misses all his loved ones.
“I miss my wife! I miss my family! I miss my teammates! It kills me to know that they are suffering so much right now. I feel grateful for everything you can do at this time to get me home, ”she closed.
Griner was detained last 17 February when she landed in Moscow and was accused of having in her luggage cartridges with cannabis oil for vaping.
The player faces up to 10 years in prison for “drug smuggling” and recently attended a court for the start of her trial, which, although it was postponed, was sentenced to six more months of preventive detention.